Electric-circuit-controlling appliance



April 15, 1930. J. SACHS ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPLIANCE FiledDec. 10

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 W h n i d m 50% ma 3 April 15, 1930. J. SACHS 1,754,443

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 10, 1926 6sheets-Sheet 2 I fnyEnL-pr Jasguh 555/75 ttarmg/ April 15, 1930.

J. sAcHs ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPLIANCE Fil ed Dec. 10, 1926 6Sheets-Sheet 5 fim zytar c/usepfz 555/75 1/ )4. timing;

:5, 1930. J. SACHS ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPLIANCE April FiledDec. 10 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet fnzkeni'ar dasspfz Sachs W 1/- ttarney April15, 1930. J. sAcHs 1,754,443

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 10, 1926 s Shets-SheetPatented Apr. 15, 1930 JOSEPHSACHS, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUTELECTBIC-CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING APPLIANCE Application filed December 10,1926. Serial' No. 153,966.

The invention relates particularly to a circuit controlling appliancesuch as a fused switch, but as to some of its features it is notnecessarily limited to a fused switch. The

type of construction to which the invention is particularly applicablecomprises a base spaced from a rear supporting wall and or- .dinarilycarrying fuse contacts at the front thereof and also comprises switchingmeans located between the base and the supporting wall and including asliding member movable parallelly with the supporting wall.Constructions of this type aredisclosed in my copending applications forelectric circuit controlling appliances, Serial No. 746,911, filedOctober 30, 1924, Serial No. 131,043,--filed August 23, 1926, and SerialNo. 150,586, filed November 24, 1926.

A fused switch embodying the invention may be and preferably is enclosedin a cabinet. The cabinet may, if desired, be adapted tobe readilyassociated with a meter; and the cabinet, whether or not associated witha meter, may be provided with a cover normally covering the fuses andcooperatively related .or interlocked with the switching means so thatthe cover cannot be movedto open position when the switch is closed andso that the switch cannot be closedwhen the cover is open.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a fused switch of thetype described, constructed and adapted for breaking the circuit at eachside of the fuse and preferably in two or more places at each side ofthe fuse.

Another object of the invention is' to provide a switch of the typedescribed, whether fused or unfused, having stationary switchcontactsand a rectilinearly movable switch 40 member operativelyassociated in an improved relationship with an insulating base.

Still another ob]ect of the invention is to provide a switch of the typedescribed, whether fused or unfused, havlng improved details of switchconstruction and mounting for the stationary switch contacts and themovable switching member.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fused switch ofthe type described having thefuse contacts positioned generally in frontof the stationary switch contacts and other switch parts, the fusecontacts ordi narily being at the front of an insulating base and theswitch contacts being at the rear thereof. A still further object ofthev invention is to provide an improved arrangement of fuses andswitching elements wherein a plurality of pairs of switch contacts aremounted on the front face of the base and wherein a plurality ofswitching. devices of the type described are associated with the base atthe rear thereof and connected and arranged in a novel and advantageousmanner.

An additional object of the invention is to .6 provide a novel relativearrangement of fuse andsw'itchcontacts wherein the switch contacts areclearly visible and easily accessible and are not concealed either bythefuse contacts or by the base. 7 Another object of the invention is toprovide a novel arrangement of the operating means with respect to theswitch parts whereby simplicit and compactness are attained.

Still anot er object of the invention is to provide improved operatingmechanismfor a switch of the type described.

. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the followingspecification and claims: so In the accompanying drawings I have shownseveral embodiments 'of the invention,

but it will be understood that these several embodiments are intendedfor illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as definingor limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part ofthis specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings: Figural is a front view of an appliance embodying theinvention, this view showing the switch handle in the positioncorrespond ing to the closed position of the switch and showing the fusecover in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the parts shown inFig.1.-

Fig, 3 is a fragmentary front view similar to Fig. 1, but showing thehandle in the position corresponding. tothe open position of the switchand showing the fuse cover in open position.

Fig. 4is a front view of the switch and fuse block separate from thecabinet.

Fi 5 is a bottom view of the switch and fuse )lock shown in Fig. 4, thisview also showing the switch operating handle and in addition showin thecabinet in section along the line 55 of ig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 of F ig. 5.

Fig; 7 is a sectional view taken along the lines 7-7 of Figs. 4 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the sliding switch members.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing an alternate embodimentof the invention.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of Fig. 9. 3

Fig. 11 is a fragmentar perspective view of the supporting means or thebase shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an alternate switchcontact and wire terminal construction which may be substituted for thatshown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Fig. 13 is a front view of an appliance constituting a differentembodiment of the invention, this view showing the enclosing cabinet anda part of a meter but not the entire cabinet cover which may besubstantially the same as that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary bottom view of the parts shown in Fig. 13, thisView also 4 showing the operating handle for the switch and showing thecabinet in section.

. Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line 1515 of'Fig.,13.

Fig. 16 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 13 but showing an applianceconstituting a different embodiment of the invention.-

.Fig. 17 is a bottom view of the parts shown in Fig. 16, this view alsoshowing the oper ating handle for the switch and showing the cabinet insection.

Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 18.18 of Fig.16.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of the supporting means forthe base shown in Figs. 16 to 18.

Fig. 20.is a front view of an appliance constituting a still differentembodiment of the invention, this view showing the enclos ing cabinetbut not the entire front cover therefor which may be similar inconstruction to that shown in Fig. 1. e I

Fig. 21 is a bottom view ofthe parts shown in Fig. 20, this view alsoshowing the switch operating handle and "showing the cabinet in section.

line 22-22 of Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a sectional view taken along the Fig. 24 is a verticalsectional view taken along the line 2424 of Fig. 20.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 to 8 thereof, 1represents an insulating base which is preferably unitary inconstruction. In the case of a fused switch the base 1 serves forsupporting the fuse contacts and the switch contacts are immediatelyassociated with the said base, some of them being ordinarily directlyconnected therewith. Ordinarily when both fuse contacts and switchcontacts are provided, these contacts are located on different faces ofthe base with the fuse contacts at the front and with the switchcontacts and switching member, constituting the switching means, at theback and preferably opposite or substantially opposite the fusecontacts. The fuse and switch contacts may be carried directly by thesaid base, which may be a single integral piece, and they are herein soshown and described. It will be understood that in describing the baseas unitary, I do not mean that it is necessarily integral, but that itis so constructed that it can be put in place or removed as a unitary'entirety.

In the drawings, I have shown two pairs of fuse contacts and two sets ofswitch con tacts, but it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to any particular number of fuses and switches. The fuse andswitch contacts as shown are symmetrically disposed with respect to thevertical central plane of the appliance and for the sake of convenienceand simplicity of description, I

V will describe only those parts on one side of the said plane, it beingunderstood that the parts on the other side are, or may be,-the same inconstruction except for reversal of positions.

The two fuse contacts are shown at 2 an 3, these being accessible fromthe front and preferably mounted directly on the front face of thebase 1. The fuse contacts shown are adapted for receiving a cartridgeenclosed fuse such as F but will be understood that the invention is notlimited for usev with fuses of this particular type.

Preferably and in accordance with one phase of the invention, I providetwo switch contacts 4 and '5, which are connected respectively with thefuse contacts 2 and 3 and which are located behind a transverse planethrough the rear parts of the fusecontacts. When a base such as 1 isprovided the fuse contacts are ordinarily mounted on the front facethereof, and the switch contacts are associated therewith adjacent theback face. The switch contacts 4 and 5 may if desired be directlyconnected with or carried by the base 1 and they may be locatedsubstantially opposite the fuse contacts 2 and 3. These contacts 4 and 5when directly connected with the base extend from the rear face thereoftoward the supporting wall. Suitable wire connectingterminals and 7 areprovided each adapted for the connection of either an incomingcircuit-wire or an outgoing circuit;

- cludes two contact elements insulated from each other and adaptedrespectively to engage and disengage the said stationary contacts 4 and5. As preferred and as illustrated, the sliding switch member comprisesan in sulating element 8 preferably in the form of a fiat bar or platehaving opposite parallel guiding edges and it also comprises twoconducting'connectors or contact elements 9 and 10 which are carried bythe insulating element and are so spaced as to be adapted tosubstantially simultafi'eously engage and disengage the said stationarycontacts 4 and 5. The said movable switch contacts 9 and 10 are normallyin electrical connection with the said wire connecting terminals 6 and 7respectively and it'will therefore be apparent that by sliding theswitch member longitudinally, the said contacts 9 and 10 thereof can bemoved out of their engaging position, as shown in Fig. 6, into adisengaging position wherein they are out of engagement with the saidstationary switchcontacts 4 and 5 so that the circuit is broken at bothsides of the fuse, that is, between each fuse contact and thecorresponding wire attaching terminal. It will be observed that inasmuchas the circuit is broken at both sides of the fuse, the fuse is entirelydisconnected from the main line or incoming circuit wire irrespective ofwhether the said wire is connected to'the terminal 6 or to the terminal7.

Preferably, the switch mechanism is so constructed that the circuit maybe broken at two points at at least one side of the fuse and preferablyat two points at each side thereof. To this end,'I provide in additionto the stationary switch contacts 4 and 5, two other stationary switchcontacts 11 and 12 directly con nected respectively with the wireterminals 6 nand -7 and located respectively in opposed relationshipwith the saidstationary contacts 4 and 5. In referring to the opposedrela tionship of the switch contacts of each pair I mean that the saidcontacts are similarly disposed with respect to the path of movement ofthe switching member and are at opposite sides thereof, andI do not meanto indicate construction of the contacts;

by. the said expression any of the details of When there are four'such'stationary' contacts, the movable contact elements 9 and 10 of theswitching member extend from one to the other of the opposite sides ofthe insulating element'9 so as to provide, when in their engagingpositions, a direct connection respectively between the contacts 4 and11 and the contacts 5. and

12. It will be seen that w l en the switch member is movedlongitudinally out of the position shown in Fig. 6, thecircuit will bebroken at two points at each side of the fuse, thus making a total offourbreaks. It will be understood that by providing additionalstationary and movable switch contacts in series with those alreadydescribed the total number of breaks may be increased as desired.Theprovision of multiple breaks as described, adapts the switch forbreaking heavier currents and higher voltages with a minimum of arcingthan is possible with a 'single break.

The insulating element 8 of the switch member serves not only as acarrier for each contact element 9 or 10. but it also serves as abarrier which is moved between the opposed stationary contactsimmediately upon the disengagement of the corresponding movable contactelement 9 or 10 therefrom. It

thus'be pp that in accordance with n16 invention, the circuit is notonly broke at twopoints at the corresponding side of he fuse, but thatthe opposed stationary contactsare separated by an insulating barrierwhich serves to positively prevent any direct arcing between thesaidstationary contacts.

By reason ofthe use of a switch member providing a barrier as described,the said station- .arv'contacts can be placed much closer together thanwould otherwise be possible, thus enabling me to make the entire switchblock, and in factthe entire appliance, much smaller than wouldotherwise be necessary.

In the particular embodiment of the invention as shown more particularlyin Figs. 4 to 8, there are certain details of switch construction whichare highly advantageous, and as concerns these features of theinvention, I do not necessarily limit myself to any particu lar locationof the switch parts with respect to the base or to the use of the saidswitch parts in the described relationship with fuse contacts.Furthermore, I do'not limit myself to either one or two pairs ofstationary switch contacts, as the number of such pairs may be varied tosuit requirements. As illustrated, the several stationary switchcontacts 4, 5, 11 and 12 are provided with flat supporting elementspreferably in the form of rec- Y tangular brackets or straps 13, 14, l5and 16.-

The manner of mounting the several" supporting elements may lee varied,but they may be mounted directly on the base. "As showneach of thesupporting elements has a portion which projects rearward from the rearface of the base substantially perpendicularlying elements 13 and 14 isprovided with a portion 17 adapted to lie fiat against the rear face ofthe base, this portion 17 being mechanically and electrically connectedwith the corresponding fuse contact by means of a screw 18 as clearlyshown in Fig. 7. Each' of the supporting elements and 16 is providedwith aportion 19 adapted to lie flat against the rear face of the base,and held in place by screws 20. Connected with the said portion 19 isthe corresponding wire terminal 6 or 7, the wire terminal in each casebeing carried .directly by an extension on the supporting element. Eachof the switch contacts 4, 5, 11 and 12 comprises a piece of resilientsheet metal preferably bent into U-shaped form with a fiat extensionadapted to be connected by riveting or otherwise with the rearwardprojecting portion of the corresponding supporting element. The saidcontacts are so arranged that the free portions of the contacts of eachpair are adjacent each other and properly spaced to provide oppositelyfacing parallel contact faces spaced away from the face of the base andadapted to engage the corresponding movable contact 9 or 10.

Each of the movable switch contacts 9 and 10 is preferably constructedand secured to the conducting element 8 as shown in detail :o in Fig, 8.Each conductingcontact element comprises a single strip of sheet metalbent .to provide two opposite separated contact portions immediatelyadjacent opposite faces of the said insulating element 8. Preferably,

in order to provide for securely holding each of the said contacts, thesaid insulating element 8 is formed with a slot 21 for each contact,which slot is preferably arranged transversely of the longitudinal linesof the said element. When slots such as 21 are pro vided as shown anddescribed. each contact 9 or 10 is bent into the form'of a U with flatsides. I have shown the insulating element 8 as formed with additionalslots 22 parallel with the slots 21 and I have also shown the contacts 9and 10 as formed with end portions adapted to enter the slots 22, 22 thesaid contacts thus being in the form of substantially Y closed loops.Initially each loop may be partly formed separately from the element 8with the portions immediately adjacent the ends turned inward. Beforebeing entirely closed each contact is entered in the slot 21 and theopposite sides of the loop are then bent inward so as to move the inwardturned end portions into the other slot 22. Thus the contact is formedwith two flat contact portions located at opposite sides of theinsulating element 8 and directly connected C3 with each otherelectrically. The construction not only provides the required directelectrical connection between the two sides,'.

but it is strong mechanically and inexpensive to manufacture.

It will be observed that the contact faces upon the breaking of thecircuit.

- scribed in detail.

of each of the contact elements 9 and 10 are spaced laterally outwardfrom the respective planes of the opposite surfaces of the insulatingelement or plate 8. This construction makes it possible for thestationary switch contacts to be engaged by the said contact elementswhen the switching members rubbing off of metallic particles from theswitch contacts onto the said insulating element. If the insulatingelement were allowed to engage the switch contacts small metallic.particles would gradually accumulate on the surfaces of the said elementand these particles would tend to maintain arcs The base 1 is so mountedas to lie in fixed relationship with a rear support or rear supportingmeans, which support or supporting means may be the back wall of-anenclosing cabinet such as will presently be de- The base is so locatedwith relation to the said supporting means that a suitable space isprovided for the switch parts which have already been described. Forguiding the insulatin element 8 of the switch member for longitu inalsliding movement, I may utilize the said supporting means at the rearand I may provide another guide means at the front which latter meansmay be the base itself. As illustrated, the inner edge of the insulatingelement 8 directly engages the supporting wall and the outer edge of thesaid element directly engages the base at the rear. The said switchmember is thus held against forward or backward movement by means of thebase and the supporting means.

- I do not herein claim as a part of the present invention theconstruction and arrangement whereby the switching member is guided asconcerns lateral movement solely by means of the stationary switchcontacts, this feature being set forth and claimed in my copendingapplication for electric circuit controlling appliance, Serial No.165,645 filed February 3rd, 1927, which application as to a part of itssubject matter is a continuation of this present application.

The basemay be provided with a groove 23 cabinet.

comprising blocks 25, 25 and 26 of insulating tive connection with thebase.

supporting wall is the rear wall of a cabinet the said base supportingmeans is entirely independent of the side walls and cover of the I haveshown the base support as material which serve to hold the said base inspaced relationship with the rear supporting wall and which also haveother functions as will presently appear. Preferably, there are two ormore screws 27, 27 which extend rearward through thevbase and throughthe corresponding blocks and engage the supporting wall to hold the baseand the blocks in place.

As illustrated, each screw 27 is surrounded by a tube or bushing 27which frictionally engages the sides of the holes in the-base 1 and inthe block 25. The tubes serve to hold the base and blocks in assembledrelation before the screws are in place. As sh59wn most clearly in Fig.6, the blocks 25, 2 and 26 are recessed at the corners to provide spacesfor the switch contacts 4, 5, 11 and 12 and the parts associatedtherewith. Preferably, the supporting elements 13 and 14 directly engagethe block 26 to hold it against lateral or vertical movement and thesupporting elements 15 and 16 engage the corresponding block 25 to holdit against pivotal movement about the corresponding holding screw 27.

The base 1, being held solely by the screws 27, 27, is readilydetachable. As already stated the switching members are guided .betweenthe base and the rear supporting wall and the switching members arewithout posi- Inasmuch as the base is detachably mounted it will beobvious that when the base is removed the switching member may bedisengaged from the supporting means. It will further be clear that whenthe base is removed the switching member may be separated from the baseand also from the stationary switch contacts in a directionperpendicular to the direction of normal longitudinal movement,

, in this case in the rearward direction.

Between the two pairs of stationary con-. tacts, the blocks 25 and 26may be formed with walls forming a narrow or restricted pathapproximately the same in width as the thic ess-of the contacts 9 and10. If it be assumed that in opening, the switch member moves downwardfrom the position shown in Fig. 6, it will be apparent that one of thecontacts, that is, the contact 10 will move into the above describedrestricted path and that there will thus be a tendency to break any arethat might form as the are would not readily follow into the restrictedpassageway but would on the contrary expand outward into theunrestricted space. In this respect, the said walls cooperate directlywith the-insulating element 8 which acts as a barrier as alreadydescribed.

It may be desirable .to make .a still further provision for mufliing orextinguishing any arcs which might be formed. For this purpose, I preferto provide a construction 0 the type set forth in my Patent 1,554,528,dated September 22, 1925. In each of the walls forming thebefore-mentioned restricted path for the movable switch contact, Iprovide a chambers 28, 28 and become cooled and con-- densed so that thearcs are immediately ruptured. These chambers provide large or extendedareas of cooling surfaces which instantly condense the hot are formedgases. Vents 28', 28 may be provided for some of the chambers 28, 28. Itwill be understood that if desired similar provision may be made a formuffling or rupturing the arcs which may be formed at the other switchcontacts but this is ordinarily not necessary and such means aretherefore not shown.

a As already stated, the fuse and switch block is preferably enclosed ina casing or cabinet, this ordinarily being so constructed that it can besealed'so as to prevent unauthorized access to any of the enclosedparts, excepting in some cases the fuse contacts. In Figs. 1, 2, 3 and5, I have shown an enclosing cabinet 29 of sheet metal having a rearwall 30, side walls 31, 31 and end walls 32, 32. The cabinet has anopenable front cover 33, which is'shown as being hin ed at 34, 34 to'the bottom end wall 32. uitable means, such as a spring latch 35 isprovided for holding the cover in closed position and a seal 4 36 ma beprovided for preventing the opening 0 the cover except by breaking theseal.

A means is provided for operating the switch member or members and whenthere is an enclosing cabinet, such as 29, the said means includes ahandle located externally of the cabinet so that the switch can beoperated when the cabinet is closed. Preferably, the cabinet is utilizedas a means for sup porting the switch operating means and I have shown aswitch operating means of the type set forth in m aforesaid copendingapplication, Serial 0. 131,043. As shown,

.there is an operating spindle comprising a rod 37- including a pivotsection 38 positioned closely adjacent the rear wall 30 of the cabinetand extending through an opening in one side wall 31 thereof. The saidrodis bent to form a manually operable handle 39 outside of'the cabinet.and also to form a crank section 40 inside of the cabinet and.

sectio1f38 of the rod, this hearing clip being secur "directly to theback wall of the cabinet. Breferably, in addition to the pivot section38 there is formed a second pivot section 43 in alignment with the pivotsection 38 and held by a bearing clip 44 similar to the bearing clip 42.

I provide a suitable operative connecting means between the swingingcrank section 40 and each of the rectilinearly movable switch members.Preferably this connecting means is so constructed as to permit theassembly or disassembly of the insulating element and the base with orfrom the operating means and the cabinet by the simple act of moving thesaid base and insulating element rearward or forward. For this purpose,I have shown in each insulating element 8 a portion provided with a slot45 adapted to receive the crank section 40. The slot 45 is preferablyopen at one end, that is, at the back end, so as to facilitate assemblyor disassembly' as described. The slot 45 is shown as being 'near thelower end of the insulating element,

but it will be understood that I do not limit myself to this location.

When it is desired to place the crank sec tion 40 of the operatingspindle very close to the contacts, the said crank section may besurrounded by insulating material in order to avoid any possible shortcircuits. This insulating material may vary as to details, but

I have shown a round tube 46 which may be longitudinally split along oneside in order to permit its assembly upon the spindle. It

will be understood that the slot 45 is wide enough to receive not onlythe crank section of the spindle but also the tube 46 thereon. I do notherein claim the switch operating mechanism including a tube or otherinsulation surrounding the crank portion of the spindle, as this subjectmatter is set forth and claimed in my copending application for switchoperating mechanism, Serial No. 3(i5,-

420, filed May 23, 1929, as a continuation-inpart of this presentapplication.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that by moving thehandle 39 each of the switch members can be moved longitudinally upwardor downward, as desired. The two pivot sections 38 and 43 with thebearing clips therefor insure uniformmove ment of both switch members.Vith the handle in its uppermost position as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5,the switch members will be held in their uppermost positions as shown inFigs. 6 and 7, thus completing the circuit through the appliance. Whenthe handle 39 is moved to its lower position as shown in GO Fig. 3, theswitch members will be moved to their lower positions, thus separatingthe movable contacts 9 and 10 from the stationary contacts 4 and 11 and5 and 12 respectively and thus breaking each leg of the circuit at fourpoints as already fully described.

is such that the base serves to entirely close the said opening when thecover is in closed position. As shown, the cover is fiat and is providedwith a depressed portion 48 which terminates at the said opening 47 andthe base is provided with an extension 49 which surrounds the fusecontacts and fuses and which engages or approximately engages with thecover depression 48 when the cover is in closed position. Preferably, apart of the extension 49 projects through the opening 47 so as topositively prevent the insertion of wires or other conductors throughthe opening into engagement with live parts within the cabinet. Ipreferably provide a cover for the opening 47 and I further preferablyso construct the parts that the fuse cover cannot be opened when theswitch handle 39 is in the position corresponding to the closed positionof the switch and so that the handle 39 cannot be moved to the positioncorresponding to the open position of the switch when the cover is open.I have shown a sidewise opening flat cover 50 for the fuses, thiscoverpreferably directly engaging the main cover 33 for sliding movementthereon. Rigidly secured to the main cover 33 is a sheet metal guide 51having an opening 52 therein .which registers with the opening 47 in themain cover. The guide 51 is spaced from the main cover so that the fusecover 50 is slidably mounted between the said parts. The said fuse cover50 is provided with a knob 53 which serves as a means for moving thefuse cover and which also serves as a stop for limiting the movement ofthe said cover in either direction. Fig. 1 shows the cover 50 in' itsleft hand closed position and Fig. 3 shows the said cover in its righthand open position. It will be observed that when the fuse cover is inclosed position and the handle 39 in the switch closing position, thesaid handle directly obstructs the cover and prevents the openingmovement-thereof. When the fuse cover is in its open position as shownin Fig. 3, the said cover directly obstructs thehandle 39 and preventsits movement to switch closing position. The specific construction andinter-relationship as herein described between a sidewise opening coverand a switch operating handle are not claimed as part of the presentinvention, these being set forth in my patents for enclosed fusedswitches, Nos. 1,721,493, 1,721,494 and 1,721,495 all issued July 16,1929.

In Figs. 9 to 11, I have shown an alternate embodiment of the inventionadapted for the same general classes of service as the constructionshown in Figs. 1 to 8, but nevertheless differing in several importantdetails and particularly in the location of the switch contacts.

A base 1 is provided which is or may be similar to the base 1 and whichis or may be similarly provided with fuse contacts 2 and 3 at its front.The several stationary switch contacts 4, 5 11 and 12, while separatedby the base from the fuse contacts and while operatively extending fromthe rear face of the base toward the supporting wall, are located beyondthe top and bottom edges of the base so as to be readily visible andaccessible from the front. As clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the fuseconnected contacts4 and 5* are carried respectively by supportingelements 1 and 15, each of which extends beyond the corresponding edgeof the base and then extends rearward. Each supporting element is heldin place and connected with the corresponding fuse contact 2 or 3 bymeans of a screw 18. The terminal connected contacts 11 and 12 arecarried respectively by supporting elements 15 and 16 which ex tendbeyond the corresponding ed e of the base and then extend rearward. achsupporting element is held in place by screws 20 and the correspondingwire terminal 6 or 7 is mounted directly on the supporting element. Thecontacts 4*, 5, 11 and 12 are preferably removably secured to therespective supporting elements by means of screws It will be observedthat with the construction shown in Figs. 9 to 11, the stationary switchcontacts are exposed for convenient inspection and can be easily cleanedwhen 'necessary without disassembling any parts of the device. Recesses61, 61 may be provided in the edges of the base 1 to facilitateinspection and cleaning. It will I furthermore be observed that thestationary switch contacts can be easily removed in case replacement isdesired, this removal being possible by merely unscrewing the screws 54,54 and without di sturbing any other parts of the device.

An insulating element 8 is provided similar to the element 8 alreadydescribed but having the contact elements 9 and 10 thereon differentlyspaced in accordance with the dif-.

'ferent locations of the stationary switch, coning baflie plate 26 isprovided. bptween the two sets of switch contacts. This is shown asbeing held in a slot in the base 1 and a suitable opening26 providesclearance for the operating spindle.

As shown particularly in Figs. 10 and 11, a base supporting means isprovided which is different in detail from. that shown in Figs. 4 to 7,but which is nevertheless similar in principle in that it engagestherear wall of the cabinet independently of the side walls thereof.Instead of' providing for this purpose insulating blocks I provide sheetmetal brackets 55, of which one is shown. Difierent details ofconstruction may be provided for the brackets 55, but as shown eachbracket has a flange 56 adapted to be welded or otherwise secured to therear wall of the cabinet, and it has two spaced strips 57, 57terminating in a flange 58 to which the base may be secured by means ofscrewsv 27*. Space is provided between the strips 57, 57 for theoperating spindle 37, and preferably the flange 56 is formed with anarched portion 59 providinga bearing for the operating spindle.

- In Fig. 12, I have shown an alternate con;-

struction for mounting the wire terminals and the terminal connectedswitch contacts. 'The supporting element 15 has no rearward proectmgportion and the switch contact 11' is formed, with an extensionoverlying the supporting element 15" and secured thereto .means of ascrew 54. The supporting element 15 has a lateral extension 60 to whichthe corresponding wire terminal is directly secured. I

In Figs. 13 to 15, I have shown another embodiment of the inventionwhichis in many respects similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 8, but whichdiffers primarily in that provision enclosed appliance with an electricmeter and that provision is also made for the testing of the meter. Inview of the similarity of the construction to that shown'in Figs. 1 to8, it will not be necessary to repeat the description of all of thedetails, it being obvious that ex-- cept as hereinafter described, theconstructions are similar, differing only in relative proportions.

As shown in Fig. 13, the cabinet 29 has'its upper end wall 32 providedwith an opening therein adapted to'receive and approximately fit theterminal portion of an electric meter M'. With this construction, thecabinet 29 serves not only to enclose the switch and fuse block,

but also to-enclose the terminal portion of the meter together with theconnections between the meter and the said fuse and switch block.

In addition to the parts already described 'in connection with Figs. .1to 8, the base 1 as shown in Figs. 13 to 15 is shown as provided withmeans ordinarily located on the front face for facilitating the testingof the meter. The details of the testing means may be varied accordingto the conditions of use. For three wire service I preferably provide atleast one movable test link at each side of the base, the

'is made for the protective association-of the, I

link being adapted to be included in the circuit between the meter andthe load wires and.

the meter from the load wires While testing is" being carried on.Ordinarily and preferably, the incoming circuit wires S, S are connectedwith theterminals 6, 6, and as shown a neutral wire S is also provided.The circuit extends from these terminals 6, 6 through the switch andfuse in the manner already described to the terminals 7, 7 which areindirectly connected with the outgoing circuit throu h the meter M.Meter connections C and 2 are shown extending from the terminals 7, 7 tothe meter. Other meter connections C and C extend from the meter to Wireconnecting terminals 62, 62 mounted on the base preferably near theouter edges thereof. The outgoing circuit wires L, L are connecteddirectly with terminals 63, 63 which terminals are connectedrespectively with the terminals 62, 62 by means of movable testing links64, 64. The testing links 64, 64 are of a well known construction, eachlink being slotted near its 5 ends and thusadapted to receive studs 65and 66 connected respectively with the terminals 62 and 63. It will beseen that by removing the links 64, 64, the circuit may be brokenbetween the said terminals 62, 62 and 63, 63.

Preferably, in addition to the links 64, 64, I provide other similarlinks 67, 67 interposed between the terminals 7, 7 and the correspondingswitch contacts 12. As clearly shown in Fig. 15 the supporting element16 is connected by means of screws. 68 and 69 with a short conductor 70' on the front face of the base. Each link 67 engages the correspondingstud 68 at one end and a similar stud 71 connected with the terminal 7.

In addition to the removable links 64, 64 and 67, 67 I alsoprovideauxiliary contacts adapted forthe attachment of a shortcircuiting connection from the switch contact 12 to the terminal 63. Forthis purpose, I utilize the before-mentioned stud 69 and a similar stud72 connected with the said terminal 63.

A link 73 may be provided as shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 13 forconnecting the said studs 69 and 72. It will be seen that when the links73, 73 are in place, the circuit will extend directly through the switchand fuse to the terminals 63. It is then possible to either partly orentirely disconnect the meter by re-- moving some or all of the links64, 64 and The metertesting devices herein shown and described do not ofthemselves constitute a part of the present invention, being set forthand claimed in my copending applications for electric meter serviceappliances, Serial No. 715,320 filed May 23, 1924, Serial No. 170,784filed February 25, 1927 and Serial No. 247,730 filed January 18, 1928.

As already described, the terminals 6,. 6

are preferably used for the'incomig'g circuit wires and the terminals63, 63 for the outgoing circuit wires. However, the appliance isoperative even though the installing workman should by reason ofcarelessness or ignorance attach the incoming wires to the terminals 63,63 and the outgoing wires to the terminals 6, 6. Inasmuch as the circuitis broken at both sides of the fuse, the fuse contacts are entirelydisconnected from the in coming line when the switch is open.Furthermore, with the connections made as last described, it is possibleto test the meter substantially as already described, the principaldifference being that the links 67, 67 are used, instead of the links64, 64 for disconnecting the meter from the outgoing circuit wires.

In addition to the differences in construction already described, theappliance shown in Figs. 13 to 15 is shown as being provided with asingle integral block 74 of insulating material for supporting the mainbase and holding it in proper spaced relationship with the supportingwall, that is, with the back wall of the cabinet. This single integralblock takes the place of the three blocks 25, 25

and 26 shown in Figs. 5 to 7. The said block 74 is provided withrecesses 75, 75 adapted to contain the stationary switch contacts andthe movable switching members. These recesses are formed in the frontportion of the block and extend rearward, but terminate in front of theback face of the block. The walls at the bottoms of the recesses serveto assist in guiding the corresponding insulating elements of theswitching members.

Chambers 28, 28 may be provided for receiving and condensing arc-formedgases, these being similar in construction and function to the chambers28, 28 already described.

In Figs. 16 to 19, I have shown a construction which is similar to thatshown in Figs. 1 to 8 as concerns the construction and arrangement ofthe switch contacts; which.

For the purpose of supporting the base 1 and holding it in fixedposition in the cabinet, two brackets 55155 are provided, these bracketsbeing somewhat similar to the brackets 55 and similarly being welded orotherwise secured to the back walls of the cabinet. Thebrackethasfianges 56 and 58 and the mam body 57 of the bracket is shownas being an imperforatesheet instead of two strips. Thearched portion59.- proa the at the ottom 0 the bracket instead of inthe middle.

For separating the two movable switch eleviding'bzgarin for theoperating spindle is ments and thetwo sets of stationary switc contacts,I preferably provide a barrier plate 26 of insulating material which isseated at its outer edge in a groove 76 formed in the base 1. The rearedge of the barrier plate 26 engages an insulating plate 24 extendingalong the front surface of the back wall-of the cabinet. In order toprevent vertical movement of the barrier plate 26 and in order to assistin holding the in sulating sheet 24, I preferably provide the said platewith lugs 77, 77 engaging the base 1 and lugs 78, 78 engaging the sheet24 and if desired entering registering holes in the back wall of thecabinet.

In Figs. 20 to 24, I have shown a construction which is similar infunction to those shown in Figs. 13 to 15 and Figs. 16 to719, butdiffering in many details of construction.

The base is shown at 1 and, instead of separate blocks or othersupporting means bein provided between the base and the supporting wall,the base is provided with 1n-.

tegral rearward extensions 25, 25 and 26 to engage directly with leastwith an insulating As shown,

which are adapted the said wall or at plate carried by the said wall.

base is secured to the back wall 30 of the cabinet by means of screws27", 27. The fuse contacts are adapted for receiving screw plug fuses Finstead of cartridge fuses, the two contacts of each pair being shown at2 and 3. The base is provided with wire connecting terminals 6, 6adapted for the connection of incoming circuit wires and with terminals7 7 adapted for connection with the load indirectly through the meter.Recesses are provided at the back of the base for receiving stationaryswitch contacts 4, 5,

11 and 12 which are similar in arrangement and in function to thecontacts 4, 5, 11 and 12 already described. One terminal 6 is connectedwith the contact 11 by means of a supporting element 15 as shown indetail in Figs. 21 and 23. The switch fuse contact 4 is connected withthe outer fuse contact 2 by means of a supporting element 13 as shown indetail in Figs. 22 and 23. The inner fuse contact 3 is connected withthe switch contact 12 by means of a supporting element 16 as shown indetail in Figs. 22 and 23. The switch contact 5 is connected with theterminal 7 by means of a supporting element 14 which is similar to thesupporting element 15 already described. The switch member comprises aninsulating element 8 and movable conducting contacts 9 and 10 similar inconstruction to the corresponding parts already described. The switchingelement 8 has a slot 45 open at the front. When the switch member is inthe position shown in Fig. 23, a circuit is established from theterminal 6 through the switch contacts h contacts 12, 10 and 5 ,to theterminal 7.

.When the" switch member is moved to its lower position the circuit isbroken at two places at each side of the fuse, the action being similarto that already described.

In addition to the terminals 6, 6 and 7,

7, I preferably provide terminals 62, 62

for attachment of meter leads and terminals 63, 63 for the attachment ofoutgoing circuit wires. Interposed between the terminals 62, 62 and 63,63 are test switches. The detailed construction of these switches-may bevaried, but as shown each switch comprises a movable blade 64 pivotallyconnected with one of the terminals as for instance the terminal 63. Theblade 64 is adapted to engage a stationary contact 65 connected with theother wire connecting terminal such as the terminal 62. The blade 64carries a handle 79 ofinsulating material whereby it may be moved intoopen position as shown at the right hand side of Fig. 20. Preferably,for convenience in moving the plate, the

handle 79 is provided with an elongated slot 80 adapted to, receive thepoint of a screw driver. By inserting the screw driver into the slot 80and turning it the blade may be conveniently moved in either the openingdialready described in connection with Figs. 13

I have herein shownand described several embodiments of my invention,and it is ob- 'vious that there are various other arrangements for therelativeassociation and positioning of the base with'its associated fusereceiving contacts, switching contacts and switching members, and thepositioning and mounting of this co-operating combination of parts on amounting surface as for instance the rear wall of the enclosing cabinetor casing. In the combination of parts forming the complete appliance,it is to be observed that there is a base having fuse receiving contactsmounted thereon in a for ward or outward facing position, and that thereare also stationary switch contacts with their cooperatively associatedmovable switching members, or other parts functioning for the openingand closing of the electric circuit, positioned relatively rearward orfurther away from the front than the position of the fuse receivingcontacts. It'is also to be observed that the combination of contacts andmovable parts forming the switching means is positioned in asubstantially overlapping relationship to the forward or out-- which maybe conceived as extending between them and parallel with the supportingwall.

I do not herein claim those features of invention, disclosed in Figs. 4to 8, in Figs. 13 to 15 and in Figs. to 25, which involve or relate tothe positioning of the movable switching member for movement in a slotor passage in the insulating body, or which involve or relate to themounting of the base proper on separate insulating blocks. These andother related features of invention are set forth and claimed in mycopending application for electric circuit controlling appliance, SerialNo. 374,727 filed June 29, 1929, as a division of this presentapplication.

What I claim is:

1. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, apair of fuse receiving contacts mounted on the base, two

stationary switch contacts immediately associated with the base andelectrically connected respectively with the said fuse contacts, aswitching member slidably engaging the base and guided in part thereby,the said switching member including two contact elements insulated fromeach other and adapted respectively to normally engage the saidstationary switch contacts, and means for slidably moving the switchingmember to disen- I gage the movable contact elements thereof from thestationary switch contacts or to reengage them therewith whereby thecircuit is groken or re-established at both sides of the use.

2. In an enclosed fused switch, the combination of an enclosing cabinethaving an Openable front cover, an insulating base mounted in fixedposition within the cabinet, a pair of fuse receiving contacts mountedon the front face of the base, two stationary switch contacts connectedwith the base adj acent the back face thereof and electrically connectedrespectively with the said fuse contacts, a switching member positionedwith its rear edge immediately adjacent the rear wall of the cabinet andwith its front edge engaging the base to be guided in part thereby forrectilinear movement parallelly with the said rear wall, the saidswitching member including two contact elements insulated from eachother and adapted respectively to normally engage the said stationaryswitch contacts and means including a handle located externally of thecabinet for rectilinearly moving ,the switching member as aforesaid todisengage the movable contact elements thereof from the stationaryswitch contacts or to reengage them therewith whereby the circuit ifsbroken or re-established at both sides of the use.

3. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, apair of fuse receiving contacts mounted on the base, two stationaryswitch contacts connected with the base and electrically connectedrespectively with the said fuse contacts, two other stationary switchcontacts associated with the base respectively adjacent the first saidswitch contacts but separated therefrom, the last said contacts beingelectrically connectible respectively with incoming and outgoing circuitwires, a switching member slidably engaging the base and guided in partthereby, the said switching member including two contact elem ntsinsulated from each other and to re-engage them therewith whereby thecircuit is broken or re-established at each of the four stationarycontacts.

4. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base normallyheld in a fixed position, a movable switching member positioned at leastin part adjacent the main body of the base and guided for movementthereon, the said member including an insulating element and alsoincluding a conducting element having contact portions at opposite sidesof the insulating element, two stationary switch contacts at oppositesides of the insulating element and positioned to be normally engagedrespectively by the said contact portions of the conducting element toestablish an electrical connection through the switch, and a separatelysupported pivoted member.

having a cranked portion engaging the insulating element for moving thesaid switching member as aforesaid in either direction to disengage theconducting element thereof from or re-engage it with the said stationarycontacts.

5. In an electric switch, the combination of a switching member movablerectilinearly in either direction and including an insulating elementhaving opposite parallel faces and also including a conducting elementhaving parallel contact faces at opposite sides of the insulatingelement and spaced outward from the respective opposite faces thereof,two stationary switch contacts at opposite sides of the insulatingelement and having parallel contact faces positioned to be normallyengaged respectively by the said contact faces of the conducting elementto establish an electrical connection through the switch, and means formoving the said switch- '7 plate between the said contacts so as tocon-- partly guide it, a contact element carried by direction todisengage the conducting element thereof from or re-engage it with thesaid stationary contacts.

6. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base, a pairof stationary switch contacts associated with the base adjacent-one facethereof and electrically insulated'from each other whenthe switch isopen, the said contacts respectively having mally engaging both of thestationary switch contacts, and means for rectilinearly moving theswitching member to disengage the contact element thereof from thestationary switch contacts and to move the insulating stitute aninsulating barrier between them.

7. In an electricswitch, the combination of a pair of stationary switchcontacts electrically insulateddrom each other when the switch is openand respectively having opposite parallel contact faces facing towardeach other, afiat insulating plate rectilinearly movable between thesaid contacts, the thickness of the late being less than the minimumspacing etween the contacts, means engaging the plate to guide it forrectilinear movement as aforesaid, and a conducting contact elementcarried by the insulating plate between the edges thereof and having.opposite'parallel flat contact faces spaced laterally outward from therespective planes of the opposite surfaces of the said plate, the saidfaces of the conducting element being respectively adapted uponrectilinear movement to engage an disengage the contact faces of thestationary switch contacts to make and break electrical connectionbetween them. U8, In an electric switch,'the combination of aninsulating base,'two similar pairs of stationary switch basea-djacentone face thereof,,the contacts of each pair being electrically insulatedfrom each other when-the switch is open and respectively having oppositeparallel contact faces facing toward each other and spaced away from thesaid face of the base, a flat insulating plate rectilinearily movablebetween the said contacts of both pairs with one edge thereof engaged bythe base and thereby guided in part for movement as aforesaid, thethickness of the plate being less than'the minimum spacing between thecontacts of contacts associated'with the each pair, and twolongitudinally s aced conducting contact elements carried ytheinvsulating plate between the edges thereof and "each having oppositeparallel flat contact faces spaced laterally outward from the respectiveplanes of the opposite surfaces of the said plate, the said faces of thetwo conducting elements being respectively adapted upon rectilinearmovement to engage and disengage the contact faces of the stationaryswitch contacts of the two pairs to make and break electrical connectionbetween them.

9. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base, a pairof stationary switch contacts associated with the base adj acent oneface thereof and electrically'insulated from each other when the switchis open,

the said contacts respectively having oppo-' 'sitely facing parallelcontact faces substan:

tially perpendicular toand spaced away from the said face of the base, arelatively thin flat insulating plate substantially perpendicular to thesaid face of the base and rectilinearly movable between the saidcontacts with one edge thereof detachably engaged by the base andthereby guided in part for movement as aforesaid, means detachablyengaging the edge of the plate opposite the base to also adapted uponrectilinear movement to engage and disengage the contact faces of thestationary switch contacts to make and break electrical connectionbetween them, and an operating member for the plate detachably connectedtherewith and permitting free removalof the insulating plate and contactelement when the plate is-disengaged by the last said guide means.

10. In an electric switch, the combinationv of an insulating base, meansfor detachably holding the base in fixed spaced relation with a rearsupporting means, a movable insulating element between the base and thesupporting means having opposite flat faces posi tioned perpendicularlyto-the rear face of the base, the said element being rectilinearlymovable parallelly with the said rear face of the base and guided inpart by the said base and in part by the said rear supportingmeans andbeing free from positive connection with the base and readily removabletherefrom, a

conducting contact element carried by the insulating element and havingopposite flat faces in planes closely adjacent the planes of theopposite fiat faces of the insulating element, a pair of stationaryswitch contacts associated with thebase and located between the plane ofthe rear face of the base and the supporting wall, the two contacts ofthe said pair being positioned to engage the opposite faces of thecontact element, and means for connecting the said stationary contactsin an electric circuit.

11. In an electric switch, the combination the base adjacent the backthereof, a fiat insulating element located between the main body of thebase and the rear wall of the cabinet and positioned perpendicularly tothe latter, the said element being movable in either direction in aplane perpendicular to the said rear wall, a contact element carried bythe insulating element and adapted to be engaged with or disengaged fromthe said stationary contacts, amanually operable spindle for moving theinsulating element including a handle outside of the cabinet and twoaligned spaced pivot sections positioned with one of them extendingthrough an aper-' ture in a side wall of the said cabinet, the saidspindle also including a crank section inside of the cabinet betweenthepivot sections, and an operative connection between the insulatingelement and the said crank section permitting the free forward orbackward as sembly or disassembly of the insulating element and basewith or from the spindle and the cabinet.

12. In an electric switch, the combination of an enclosing cabinetincluding an openable cover, an insulating base in the cabinet, meansfor detachably holding the said base in fixed position in the cabinetwith the back thereof facing the rear wall of'the cabinet, a stationaryswitch contact connected with the base adjacent the back thereof, a flatinsulating element located between the main body of the base and therear wall of the cabinet and positioned perpendicularly to the latter,the said element being rectilinearly movable in either directionparallelly with the said rear wall and having therein a transverse slotextending from one edge of the element and open at the said edge, acontact element carried by the insulating element and adapted to beengaged with or disengaged from the said stationary contact when thesaid insulating element is moved, and a manually operablespindle formoving the insulating element including a handle outside of the cabinetand two aligned spaced pivot sections positioned with one of themextending through an aperture in a side wall of the said cabinet, thesaid spindle also including a crank section inside of the cabinetbetween the pivot sections and extending through the open slot in theinsulat-ing element.

13. As an article of manufacture, a rectilinearly movable switchingmember comprisin in combination a relatively thin flat plate ofinsulating material having opposite parcent the respective oppositesurfaces of the plate. 7 I

14. As an article of manufacture, a switching member comprising incombination a relatively thin flat plate of insulating material havingopposite parallel guiding edges and having a slot therein extendingtranstversely with respect to the said edges and open at one of them,and.two contact elements carried by the said plate and spaced from thesaid guiding edges thereof, the said contact elements beinglongitudinally spaced from each other and from the said slot and each ofthem having two opposed contact faces opposite each other and adjacentthe respective opposite surfaces of the plate.

15. As an article of manufacturefa switch ing member comprising incombination a relatively thin flat plate of insulating material havingopposite parallel guiding edges and having a slot therein ofsubstantially uniform width extending transversely with respect to thesaid edges and open at one of them for receiving the crank portion of anoperating spindle, and a contact element carried by the said plate andspaced from the said guiding edges thereof, the said contact elementbeing longitudinally spaced from the said slot and having two opposedcontact faces opposite each other and spaced laterally outward from therespective planes of the opposite surfaces of the plate.

16. As an article of manufacture, a rectilinearly movable switchingmember comprising in combination a relatively thin flat plate ofinsulating material having at least one guiding edge and having meansfor engagement with a suitable operating member, and a contact elementcarried by the said plate and spaced from'the said guiding edge thereof,the said contact element being spaced from the said engagement means andcomprising a strip of sheet metal bent to provide two opposite separatedcontact faces immediately adjacent the opposite flat faces of theinsulating plate.

17. As an article of manufacture, a movable switching member comprisingin combination a relatively thin flat plate of insulating materialhaving means for engagement with a suitable operating member, the saidplate having therein a transverse closedended slot longitudinally spacedfrom the said engagement means, and a contact element comprising a stripof sheet metal extending through the slotandbent to provide two oppositeseparated contact faces immediately adjacent the opposite, faces of thesaid insulatin plate.

18. In an e ectric switch, the combination of an insulating support, apair of parallel closely spaced conducting supporting elementsassociated with the support and ex-' tending substantiallyperpendicularly from the plane of one face thereof, a pair of resilientstationary switch contacts secured to the respective supporting elementsand having opposite parallel contact faces perpendicular to the saidface of the base and facing toward each other, and a movable switchingmember comprising a contact element moyable into and out of engagementwith the contact faces of the switch contacts to make and breakelectrical connection between them.

- 19. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating support,aipair of parallel closely spaced supporting elements associated withthe support and extending substantially perpendicularly from the planeof one face thereof, a pair of resilient stationary switch contacts eachcomprising a strip of sheetmetal secured at one end to the correspondingsupporting element and having its main portion bent into a U-shape toform a resiliently held contact portion, the two contacts beingoppositely disposed relatively to' their reelements to position theirspective supportin jacent each other and parcontact portions a 'allel,and a movable. switching membercom prising a contact element movableinto and out of engagement with the contact faces of the switch contactsto make and break electrical connection between them, j

20. In a fused electricswitch, the combination of a pair of fusereceiving contacts,

means for holding the said contacts in fixedrear supporting wall, a pairof stationar switch contacts held in fixed relation wit the said rearsupporting walland electrically insulated from each other when theswitch is open, the said switch contacts respectively having oppositelyfacing para-llelccontact faces substantially perpendicular to and spacedaway from the said wall and onejof them being electrically con-.nectible with" one of the fuse contacts, a switching memberrectilinearly movable bespaced relation to a tween the said switchcontacts and compris ing an insulatin element and a conducting contactelement carried by the insulating element, the said conducting elementhaving opposite parallel contact faces adapted upon rectilinear movementto engage and disengage the contact faces' of the vstationary switchconnection between them, and means for engaging the switching member atthe front to partly guide it. for movement as aforesaid.

21. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base,a,pair of fuse receiving contacts mounted on the base, a pair ofstationary switch contacts associated with ducting contacts to make andbreak electrical element, each to substantially simultanenouslydisengage the movable contact element from the stationary switchcontacts.

22. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base,a pair of fuse receiving contacts mounted on the base, a pair ofstationary switch contacts associated wlth the base in opposedrelationship to each other, one of the said contacts bein electricallyconnected with one of the said fuse contacts, a rectilinearly movableswitching member comprising an insulatin element having opposite flatfaces and having opposite parallel guiding edges and also comprisinga-conducting contact element carried by the insulating element andhaving opposite flatv faces in planes closely adjacent the planes of theopposite of the stationary switch contacts, stationary means engagingthe said guiding edges of the insulating element to at least partlyguide it for rectilinear movement, and means for moving the switchingmember as aforesaid to substantially simultaneously disengage the'movable contact element from the stationary switch cont-acts.

23. In a fused switch appliance, the comfiat faces of the insulatingelement, the c said contact element normally engaging both bination ofan insulating base,-a pair of fuse receiving contacts mounted on thebase, two pairs of stationary switch contactsconnected with the base,the contacts of each pair being in opposed relationship to each otherand one of the contacts of each pair bein electrically connectible withthe corresponding fuse. contact, and the other being electricallyoonnectible'with' a circuit wire, a movable switching member adjacentthe base and including an insulating element having opposed flat facesand also including two separated concontact elements carried by theinsulating element and each having opposite flat faces in planes closelyadjacent the planes of the opposite flat faces of the insulating of thesaid contact elements normally'engagin both of the stationary switchcontacts 0 the corresponding pair, and meansfor movingthe switchingmem-- ber to substantially simultanenousl disengage the movable contactelements rom the correspgnding stationary switch contacts.

at in afused swit appl ance, the com-.

binatio to an insulating base, a pair of fuse receivi g contacts on thebase, two similar pairs 0 tionary switch contacts associated with thease adjacent one face thereof and electrically insulated from each otherwhen the switch is open, the said contacts respectively havingoppositely facing parallel contact faces substantially perpendicular toand spaced away from the said face of the base and one of the contactsof each pair being electrically connectible with the corresponding fusecontact, and the other being electrically connectible with a circuitwire, a relatively thin fiat insulating plate substantiallyperpendicular to the said face of the base and rectilinearly movablebetween the said switch contacts of both pairs with one edge thereofengaged by the base and thereby guided in part for movement asaforesaid, and two longitudinally spaced contact elements carried by theinsulating plate and having opposite parallel flat contact facesrespectively adjacent the opposite surfaces of the said plate, the saidfaces of the contact elements being respectively adapted uponrectilinear movement to engage and disengage thecontact faces of thestationary switch contacts of the two pairs to make and break electricalconnection between them.

25. In fused electric switch, the combination of a pair of forwardfacing fuse receiving contacts, means for holding the said contacts infixed spaced relation to a rear supporting wall, a pair of stationaryswitch contacts located between the said rear supporting wall and aplane through the rear parts of the fuse contacts and electricallyinsulated from each other when the switch is open, the said switchcontacts respectively having oppositely facing parallel contact facessubstantially perpendicular to and spaced away from the said wall andone of them being electrically connectible with one of the fusecontacts, and a switching member rectilinearly movable between the saidswitch contacts and behind the fuse contacts and comprising aninsulating element and a contact element carriedvby the insulatingelement and having opposite parallel contact faces adapted uponrectilinear movement to engage and disengage the contact faces of thestationary switch contacts to make and break electrical vconnectionbetween them.

' 26. In a fused electric switch, the combination of a pair of forwardfacing fuse receiving contacts, means for holding the said contacts innormally fixed spaced relation to a rear supporting wall, two similarpairs of stationary switch contacts located between the said rearsupport-ing wall and a plane through the rear parts of the fusecontacts, the contacts of each pair being electrically insulated fromeach other when the switch is open and respectively having oppositelyfacing parallel contact faces substantially said wall and one of thecontacts of each pair being electrically connectible with thecorresponding fuse contact, and a switching member rectilinearly movablebetween the said switch contacts and behind the fuse contacts andcomprising an insulating element and two longitudinally spaced contactelements carried by the insulating element and each having oppositeparallel contact faces respectively adapted upon rectilinear movement toengage and disengage the cont-act faces of the stationary switchcontacts of the two pairs to make and break electrical connectionbetween them.

27: In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base,means for holding the base in fixed relation with a rear supportingwall, a pair of forward facing fuse receiving contacts on the front faceof the base, two pairs of stationary switch contacts associated with thebase and separated thereby from the fuse contacts, the said switchcontacts being located between the base and the supporting wall with thecontacts of each pair in opposed relationship to each other and one ofthe contacts of each pair being electrically connected with thecorresponding fuse contact, and the other being electrically connectiblewith a circuit wire, a movable switching member adjacent the base andincludin an insulating element having opposed atfaces and also includingtwo separated conducting cont-act elements carried by the insulatingelement and each having opposite flat faces in planes closely adjacentthe planes of the opposite flat faces of the insulating element, each ofthe said contact elements normally engaging both of the stationaryswitch contacts of the corresponding pair, and means moving theswitching member to substantially simultaneously disemgage the movablecontact elements from the corresponding stationary switch contacts.

28. In a fused electric switch, the combination of an insulating base,means for holding .the said base in normally fixed spaced relation to arear supporting wall, a pair of forward facing fuse receiving contactson the base at the front thereof, a pair of stationary switch contactslocated between the said rear supporting wall and a plane through therear parts of the base and electrically insulated from each other whenthe switch is open, the said switch contacts respectively havingoppositely facing parallel contact faces substantially perpendicular toand spaced away from both the" said wall and the rear face of the baseand one of them being electrically connectible with one of the fusecontacts, and a switching member rectilinearly movable between the saidswitch contacts and behind the base and comprising an insulating elementhaving opposite guiding edges respectively engaging the supporting walland the base

